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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.